held up in 5th, headway and switched right to inside 2f out, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, ran on strongly
led at good pace, headed 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, but never able to challenge
tracked leader to 6f out, stayed in 3rd, until ridden 3f out, and weakened quickly over 2f out
held up in 4th, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, went 2nd inside final f but no chance with easy winner
tracked leader 6f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in last pair, ridden on outside 3f out, hung right under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Araafa holds very solid claims here and can take this Group 1 contest from former winner Soviet Song and Echo Of Light. The selection is trying to complete a hat-trick here after wins in both the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes, and now takes on the older horses. Both those Group 1 wins were achieved on differing ground and so with rain around now that should not be too inconvenient. This trip is clearly his optimum and he can make the most of the race conditions and do the job. Soviet Song got the better of Nayyir in a humdinger for this prize in 2004 but has not won at this level for over a year now and judged on her effort at Newmarket last time may not be the mare she was. Nevertheless she is much respected in opposition. Court Masterpiece will have some supporters, but Echo Of Light is perhaps more interesting. His Group 3 Summer Stakes win at Lingfield last time means he will have to improve a fair bit here, but that was a decent reappearance effort and with hopefully more to come he can make the frame here. But preference is for Araafa, who can notch a victory for youth.
Echo of Light 7-1 (9-1) Soon led, made rest, pushed 2 lengths clear 1f out, soon in command, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m Grp 3 (1) pol in Jul beating Satchem (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rob Roy (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Went right start, tracked leader, ridden to press leader over 2f out, every chance, soon ridden and weakened rapidly over 1f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Peeress (8-11) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) sft in May.
Vanderlin 7-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged left and went 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Prince of Light (8-8) at Chester 7f stk (2) gf in Jul.
Soviet Song (IRE) 6-5fav (9-5) Held up in rear, effort over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 4l behind Rajeem (8-10) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Aussie Rules (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, soon hung right and no impression, 4th of 9, 2l behind David Junior (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
